Alison Couch’s Harlem accounting firm just won a major award, but she doesn’t take all the credit.
Couch, a new Columbia County commissioner, owns Ignite Accounting & Business Advisors (formerly Couch Consulting, LLC). Her firm was named the 2022 Small Business of the Year by the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce at its annual banquet, Thursday evening.
“Winning the Chamber’s Small Business of the Year Award is one of the greatest honors of my life,” she said. “I hope it highlights the hard work of my team members; their dedication to our clients is truly special and they deserve every award that could be given.”
Like Couch, LeeAnn Rhoden, a licensed realtor with Blanchard and Calhoun Real Estate, was humbled to win the Chamber’s Ambassador of the Year Award.
“I could never imagine being awarded for participating in my community and having the opportunity to give back to my community,” Rhoden said. “I serve with such an inspirational group of people; that, to me, is the award.”
Augusta Technical College was selected as the Large Business of the Year, and its President, Dr. Jermaine Whirl credited the college’s faculty, staff, and students.
“Every day, we work to build a skilled workforce and economically stronger communities through education,” Whirl said. “We’ve been committed to transformative investments, like our healthcare campus, automotive training facility, and collaborative partnerships, to ensure every resident in the Greater Augusta area has access to a world-class education at an affordable price.”
Augusta Tech has multiple campuses throughout the CSRA, including one in Grovetown.
The Chamber gave out a total of seven awards. Other winners included Yvonne Meeks, Community Development Representative with SRP Federal Credit Union, who won the Lifetime Achievement Award; Doressa Hawes, Volunteer Program Manager with Golden Harvest Food Bank, who won the Volunteer of the Year Award; and Adam Williams, Director of the Cleveland Group CPAs, who was awarded the Leadership Columbia County Alumni Award.
For Couch, her team members aren’t the only ones she credits for her success.
“I pray this recognition glorifies the Lord in all ways,” she said.
